Partner of Historical Japanese Landmarks

Funatsu-cho in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, is a town blessed by the clear waters of Ichi-kawa River and an abundance of nature. The tile industry here was established in 1805 by order of the lord of Himeji Castle due to the wealth of high quality clay, the key raw material. It is in this historical town of Funatsu that the Koyo Seiga Ibushi Kawara Tile Industry lies.
The company was established in 1923. Ibushi Kawara tiles, made of high-quality clay which is first oxidation fired before being reduction smoked in our Koyo kilns, have been highly regarded all over Japan for their unparalleled strength and beauty. These Ibushi Kawara and the superior technology required to produce them have been recognized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and we produced Ibushi Kawara for the main keep in the recent large-scale renovation of Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage. Through our production of special tiles for numerous shrines, temples, and castles, we have played a significant role in bequeathing traditional architecture to the future.
Koyo Ibushi are interior materials produced by Koyo Seiga. These beautiful and durable Ibushi Kawara, produced from natural materials, can be used as a feature within a space, or to clad an entire building. Utilizing traditional techniques from the birthplace of tiles and transferring them to the present day―this is our new challenge.

From Roofs to Walls―Evolving in Its 5000th year

A Traditional Material from Thousands of Years Ago

According to one theory, Ibushi Kawara have a history stretching back 4000 to 5000 years. The Nihon Shoki, the “Chronicles of Japan”, states that tiles first came to Japan from China for the construction of Asuka-dera Temple in 588 A.D.

Strong yet Delicate Ibushi Kawara

Ibushi Kawara, which are a type of porous ceramic, are famous for their strength. Most roofing materials can be expected to have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years, but Ibushi Kawara are durable enough to last twice that length of time. Another reason they are loved so much is the fact that they are made from just two completely natural materials – soil and carbon, and they are particularly popular still as they are both environmentally friendly and non-hazardous to people. These tiles are also known for their insulation properties and their far-infrared effect, demonstrating ability that holds ground with leading-edge materials. Koyo Ibushi materials make full use of the excellent characteristics of Ibushi Kawara.

The Shimmer of Ibushi Silver

The austere silver of Ibushi Kawara is created by a layer of carbon. The reason these are sometimes called ‘smoked tiles’ is that a special smoking process takes place at the end of the firing process, which creates this unique luster without dusting the tiles with metal. The Koyo Ibushi materials gently reflect the sunlight when used as external wall materials, and reflect room lighting and indirect light when used indoors. The shimmer of Ibushi silver subtly changes over time. The fact that the texture changes with age is perhaps another reason the Ibushi Kawara are loved so much.

Soil, Carbon, and Handiwork

At Koyo Seiga we create a blend of unique proportions using a number of types of clay, each of which has different qualities. We fire the clay slowly over time, maximizing the merits of each variety of clay, and smoke it to form the beautiful Ibushi silver carbon layer. The handiwork of our craftsmen is also indispensable. The surface is elaborately polished and smoothed with a spatula and a trowel before the firing process. The properties of the clay are carefully examined, and the pre-firing form of the Ibushi Kawara is minutely adjusted based on seasonal differences in temperature and humidity to ensure uniformity and to maintain constant high quality.

ARARE

A random combination of square parts of varying tones and thicknesses.
Savor the way the expression changes depending on the direction of the light.

SUPER SMALL (ITAR-20)

115mm×115mm×5-9mm

SMALL (ITAR-21)

108mm×108mm×5-9mm

MIDDLE (ITAR-22)

147mm×147mm×7-11mm

LARGE (ITAR-23)

135.5mm×135.5mm×7-11mm

LARGE (ITAR-23-F)

135.5mm×135.5mm×15mm

REGO (ITAR-24)

133.5mm×138.5mm×9-15mm

LL (ITAR-54)

324mm×324mm×9-15mm/p>

ARARE

Product Number

SUPER SMALL

SMALL

MIDDLE

LAGE

LARGE (floor tile)

LL

REGO

Product Number

ITAR-20

ITAR-21

ITAR-22

ITAR-23

ITAR-20-F

ITAR-54

ITAR-24

Spec

With net backing

No seams

10x10/sheet

With net backing

No seams

7x7/sheet

With net backing

No seams

5x5/sheet

With net backing

No seams

4x4/sheet

With net backing

No seams

4x4/sheet

With net backing

2mm seams

6x6/sheet

With net backing

No seams

4x9/ sheet

Size (mm)

11×11

15×15

29×29

34×34

34×34

52×52

33×15

Thickness (mm)

5･7･9

5･7･9

7･9･11

7･9･11

15

9･11･15

9･11･15

Size including seams (mm)

115×115

108×108

147×147

135.5×135.5

135.5×135.5

324×324

133.5×138.5

Sheets/m²

76

86

46.3

54.5

54.5

9.5

54

Sheets/box

108

108

44

44

32

8

32

Kg/box

22

19

17

15

18

18

13

Kg/m²

15.2

14.2

17.6

18

30.5

21

21

HARIMA

The attraction of this series is in its expression of light and shade combined with a feeling of width and spaciousness.
The contrast between light and shade creates stunning beauty.

YAMA A(ITBS-30-225L)

300mm×225mm×8-20mm

YAMA B(ITBS-30-225R)

300mm×225mm×8-20mm

SATO(ITB-30-225)

300mm×225mm×9-15mm

HARIMA/INABA shared corner (ITB-C)

300mmx50-60mm×9mm

HARIMA

Product Number

YAMA A

YAMA B

YAMA (edge tile)

SATO

SATO (edge tile)

HARIMA・INABA
shared corner

Product Number

ITBS-30-225L

ITBS-30-225R

ITBS-30-75

ITB-30-225

ITB-30-75

ITB-C

Spec

With net backing

1-2mm seams

10/sheet

With net backing

1-2mm seams

10/sheet

Edge material

Individual

---

With net backing

1-2mm seams

10/sheet

Edge material

Individual

---

With net backing

1-2mm seams

10/sheet

Size (mm)

28×223

28×223

28×73

28×223

28×73

30×50-60

Thickness (mm)

8/20

8/20

8/20

9・15

9・15

9

Size including seams (mm)

300×225

300×225

---

300×225

---

300×60

Sheets/box

7

7

---

8

---

---

Kg/box

13.5

13.5

---

13

---

---

Kg/m²

28.5

28.5

---

23.5

---

---

INABA

An interlocking layout of pieces of different height levels.
The light produces a luster and shadow, creating an artistic countenance.

INABA(ITBS-30-100)

300mm×200mm×9-19mm

HARIMA/INABA shared corner (ITB-C)

300mmx50-60mm×9mm

INABA

Product Number

INABA

HARIMA・INABA
shared corner

Product Number

ITBS-30-100

ITB-C

Spec

With net backing

2mm seams

20/sheet

With net backing

1-2mm seams

10/sheet

Size (mm)

28×98

30×50-60

Thickness (mm)

9/19

9

Size including seams (mm)

300×200

300×60

Sheets/m²

16.7

3.3 sheets per meter

Sheets/box

9

---

Kg/box

12

---

Kg/m²

27.8

---

JIN

Large square Koyo Ibushi tiles.
Reversible tiles, the surface with fine slits of which leaves a lasting impression.
The flat lustrous side bounces the light back beautifully.

Wall tile (JIN-300W)

297mm×297mm×10mm

Floor tile (JIN-300F)

297mm×297mm×15mm

JIN

Product Number

Front (patterned)/Back (plain) wall tiles

Front (patterned)/Back (plain) floor tiles

Product Number

JIN-300W

JIN-300F

Spec

Individual

Reversible

---

Individual

Reversible

---

Size (mm)

297×297

297×297

Thickness (mm)

10

15

Size including seams (mm)

---

---

Sheets/m²

11

11

Sheets/box

10

7

Kg/box

25

21

Kg/m²

2.1

2.96

LINE

An elaborate design which maximizes the effect of sharp lines.
Choose from stately BLACK, beautifully shiny SILVER, or MIX, which combines the two.

BLACK(ITFL-B)

225mm×110mm×17mm

SILVER(ITFL-S)

225mm×110mm×17mm

MIX(ITFL-M)

225mm×110mm×17mm

LINE

Product Number

BLACK

SILVER

MIX

Product Number

ITFL-B

ITFL-S

ITFL-M

Spec

With net backing

1mm seams

10/sheet

With net backing

1mm seams

10/sheet

With net backing

1mm seams

10/sheet

Size (mm)

225(±2)×10

225(±2)×10

225(±2)×10

Thickness (mm)

17

17

17

Size including seams (mm)

225×110

225×110

225×110

Sheets/m²

40.5

40.5

40.5

Sheets/box

24

24

24

Kg/box

15.5

15.5

15.5

Kg/m²

26

26

26

KASURI

A combination of rectangular parts – two horizontal and two vertical.
This interwoven mosaic of Ibushi silver is the perfect feature within a space.

FLATWall tile (ITK-11)

137.5mm×137.5mm×9mm

FLAT (floor tile) (ITK-11-F)

137.5mm×137.5mm×15mm

Uneven type (ITK-12)

137.5mm×137.5mm×9-15mm

KASURI

Product Number

FLAT (wall tile)

FLAT (floor tile)

Uneven type

Product Number

ITK-11

ITK-11-F

ITK-12

Spec

With net backing

No seams

8 sheet

With net backing

No seams

8 sheet

With net backing

No seams

8 sheet

Size (mm)

68×34

68×34

68×34

Thickness (mm)

9

15

9・11・15

Size including seams (mm)

137.5×137.5

137.5×137.5

137.5×137.5

Sheets/m²

53

53

53

Sheets/box

48

32

32

Kg/box

15.5

18

14

Kg/m²

16.7

29.7

23.5

SQUARE

Square parts which enable you to savor different Ibushi silver timbres.
Use whichever number of tiles you choose in your favorite place.

75 (wall tile)（ITAR-75-9）

72mm×72mm×9mm

75 (floor tile)（ITAR-75-15）

72mm×72mm×15mm

100 (wall tile)（ITAR-100）

95mm×95mm×9mm

SQUARE

Product Number

75 (wall tile)

75 (floor tile)

100 (wall tile)

Product Number

ITAR-75-9

ITAR-75-15

ITAR-100

Spec

Individual

---

---

Individual

---

---

Individual

---

---

Size (mm)

72×72

72×72

95×95

Thickness (mm)

9

15

9

Size including seams (mm)

---

---

---

Sheets/m²

176

176

99

Sheets/box

264

152

99

Kg/box

23.76

24.32

15.84

Kg/Sheets

0.09

0.16

0.16

OTHER PIECE

Product Number

BORDER 20

BORDER 25

IRAKA 16

IRAKA 25

IRAKA 50

Product Number

ITB-2020

ITB-2525

IRAKA-64-16

IRAKA-64-25

IRAKA-64-50

Size (mm)

20×250

25×250

270×50

270×50

270×50

Thickness (mm)

20

25

16

25

50

Sheets/box

102

70

110

66

33

Kg/piece

0.22

0.34

0.2

0.33

0.66

Made in JAPAN

A II unglazed tile (type II/stone quality)

Only to be used with adhesive

■Must be used with an interior type modified silicone adhesive

■When used on exteriors, use a modified silicone epoxy type bond

■Please confirm surface water resistance with backing when using outside or on a damp surface